Bunco Squad

While some might call this a film noir picture, it's really more of a true crime movie...and a very good one at that. The story is about psychics and how they prey upon gullible folks who want to communicate with dead loved ones....and one particular case involving a very rich lady who seems to be the perfect victim.

They story begins with a smart bunco artist, Tony Weldon (Ricardo Cortez), organizing the local phony psychics behind something he calls the Rama Society. Using this seemingly legitimate organization, they plan on bilking Jessica Royce...and when the police find out, they work hard to stop them...even though Mrs. Royce is 100% sure the Society is doing wonderful work and she refuses to listen to the police.

This is a very good B-movie from RKO because it manages to take a simple story idea and tell it well due to very good acting and writing. The ending also is very rewarding. Overall, a very good film despite it being relatively low budgeted.

Dull lead Robert Sterling plays the dully named detective "Steve Johnson." He's in the title squad investigating a phony medium racket lead by Cortez, who is trying to bilk a believing widow out of her fortune. Dixon is actress fiancé of Johnson enlisted to act as a medium to help trap the phonies. Lots of brakelines get cut in this film (three times!) to try and kill off Johnson and others. Chase finale features the cliché car-crashing-over-the-cliff, but the stock footage of the crash features a totally different car from the one the villain drives. A short film, but routine and flat. It looks like something out of a fifties TV cop drama. The cast tries but is defeated by a script that gives them little characterization.

I almost always enjoy "B" movies of the crime genre. They rarely run more than 65 minutes and don't waste time trying to develop detailed and boring character development. This fast paced film had everything from fast car crashes to gunplay. And, BTW, in all of his films, did Ricardo Cortez ever play any type of role other than a criminal? Gunner

Almost All of these "Mystics and Psychic" Types so Popular in the 20th Century are Bunk.

Nothing More than Scams Offering Vulnerable and Gullible People "False Hope" for Donations in the Collection Plate.

Sound Familiar.

Religions do the Same but are Respected Tax-Exempt Institutions Promising "Pie In The Sky" Unverifiable Results from Beyond the Earthly Realm.

It's a Fine Line to Cross.

In this Story there is an Active Targeted Fraud and the Hucksters Make No Attempt to Pretend Otherwise Behind the Scenes.

This Type of Fringe Culture is Used Regularly in Film-Noir. That's Where Film-Noir Exists.

On the Fringe.

Many a Noir has done this sort of Thing much Better using Cracker-Jack Film-Makers and Budgets.

"Nightmare Alley" (1949) to Name one of the Best.

"Bunco" is done on the Cheap and in a Hurry (13 day shoot) with Contrivances so Frequent and Glaring that it Almost Loses Credulity from Frame One...Almost.

For what They had to Work With it Turns Out to be a Fast-Paced, Lively Movie About Contacting the Dead as a Come-On to Fleece an Elderly Widow.

There are a Couple of Nifty Scenes and Set Pieces that Produce Enough Entertainment for Non-Discerning Viewers.

Sterling is Wooden but OK, Dixon Steals the Show, and Cortez Plays Sleaze with the Best and with some Help from a Special-Effect or Two and Moody Set Dressings...

Worth a Watch/

But it Only Skirts the Fringe of Film-Noir and doesn't Fully Commit.

BUNCO SQUAD concerns the efforts of a young policeman to protect a rich widow from a gang of fake spiritualists. This well made B programmer boasts good production values and a brisk pace. Chief among the competent cast is Ricardo Cortez doing his usual best as slick villain, and a small supporting role by Dante the Magician. Attractive locations and such details as 1940's streamlined cars make this film a nice small surprise.